Board Election

Participation on the ONA Board of Directors is a unique opportunity to guide the world’s largest organization of digital journalists in shaping the future of media and building a stronger industry. Board participation is a chance to grow personally and professionally, and to develop skills, experience and connections with a team of other passionate and motivated professionals.

There are 15 voting members on the ONA Board. Six seats are open for the 2025-26 board term. Four of the six seats will be filled through this year’s election, and two seats will be appointed by the board by the end of this year.

The board also includes one non-voting Early Career Officer, selected by appointment from a call for applications, and the Immediate Past President during the year following a transition in the President position.

Timeline

From nominations to final results, here are the key dates to elect members of the 2025-26 Board of Directors.

Aug. 14, 2024: Call for Board nominations open
Sept. 6, 2024: Deadline for Board nominations
Sept. 9, 2024: Board slate announced
Sept. 9, 2024: Voter registration deadline. ONA members as of this date are eligible to cast ballots
Sept. 11, 2024: Voting opens
Oct. 3, 2024: Voting closes
Oct. 9, 2024: Winners announced
Jan. 1, 2025: New terms begin

Voting process (Sept. 11–Oct. 3)

Voting in the 2025-26 ONA Board election is open Sept. 11–Oct. 3, 2024. ONA members active as of Sept. 9 are eligible to cast ballots.

  1. Review the board candidate profiles.
    See the 10 candidates
  2. Beginning Sept. 11, when voting opens, log into the ONA member portal to find your unique election passcode. Your passcode will also be sent to the email address associated with your membership; look for a message from support@journalists.org.
    Get your passcode
  3. Visit the ONA eBallot system and log in using your passcode to claim your ballot.
    Vote

How to run for the board

Two forms must be submitted to complete candidacy for the ONA Board. The call for nominations to seats on the 2025-26 board was open Aug. 14–Sept.6, 2024.

  1. Ensure an ONA member in good standing. Log in to confirm or renew your membership, or join ONA.
  2. Review the nominee criteria and responsibilities required of board members, and have an understanding of ONA’s mission.
  3. Ask another ONA member to nominate you using the nomination form by Sept. 6.
  4. Complete and submit the candidate form by Sept. 6.

Note: Current members of the Board of Directors running for reelection are required to complete the candidate form only

Nominations review

The ONA Governance Committee, led by a former or current board member, screen candidates and present a slate of eligible candidates to the current board for approval. It is the responsibility of the Governance Committee to present a slate that reflects a diversity of interests in the make-up of the board. The committee recommends candidates who have thoughtfully and thoroughly answered questions in the candidate form and most closely align with the criteria for board membership.

Once a slate is reviewed, the Governance Committee Chair notifies the nominees, and ONA announces the candidates slate to the membership. A page listing nominees is posted on journalists.org, along with their photos, bios, stated qualifications and candidate statements submitted during the nomination process.

Meet the candidates during ONA24

We’re excited to host our annual conference Sept. 18-21 in Atlanta, where there will be opportunities to connect with board candidates in person. [Schedule details coming soon]

Previous elections